THE IMPRINT ACCIPITER. By Michael McDermott.

1998 1st edition. 8vo (155 x 236mm). Pp231. Colour and b/w photographs. Green leather-effect cloth, spine titled in gilt.

This is Michael McDermott's comprehensive discussion of the the training of imprinted goshawks, sharpshinned and Cooper's hawks. For many years now it has been highly sought-after for its practical content. Chapters include: Considerations before choosing a species - goshawks, sharpshins, Cooper's; Preparations before getting an eyas - mind set, facilities and equipment, hooding, ethics, bagged game, multiple catches; Nest hunting - obtaining nestlings of the three species in twelve different states, contributions from Tim Kimmel, Jimmy Bathke, Mark Fanning, Eddie Morgan and Keith Buchanon, Bill Swearingen, Tom Gleason, Connie Stanger, Jerry Keller, Joe Katterhenry, Robert Helsom, Lance Morrow; Key elements - no fear, socialise, keep inside, handling, no glove association, good scalework; Raising the eyass - twig feeding, carcass feeding, early bags, lure train, advanced bags, brancher weight, wild comparison; Metabolism and weight control; Problems - aggression, yarak, territoriality, screaming, possession, low numbers; The viszla and quail hawking; Night hawking - advantages, training, problems, pest control appication; A chapter each of journal notes on raising goshawks, sharpshins and Cooper's hawks. As with all three of McDermott's books, essential reading.